Segments in this Video

The Big History Of Everything: Introduction (05:44)

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Over four billion years ago, the solar system was still forming; early Earth was at a critical distance from the sun that allowed liquid water to exist. A massive object collided with Earth and the debris formed the moon. Jupiter and Saturn shifted in their orbits, showering Earth with metal rich asteroids.

Big Bang(05:33)

The history of the universe includes eight "threshold moments" that changed the course of humankind. In a fraction of a second, all the energy that will ever exist appeared in a flash. Physicists can account for everything that has happened since that critical point.

In the Beginning(10:18)

Following the Big Bang, the universe cools, and matter begins to appear in the form of two basic atoms pulled together by gravity: hydrogen and helium. Nuclear fusion takes place, leading to the appearance of light. When the first generation of stars dies off, they become the fabric of more complex elements.

Let There Be Life(12:36)

Earth's formation came long after the development of complex elements, the collision of supernovas, and the appearance of the sun. Water comes to Earth via asteroids, allowing animal and plant life to grow. Complex creatures are more delicate.

The Human Factor(12:03)

The age of mammals came into being when a large asteroid hits the Earth's surface and destroys the dinosaurs. The first humans develop on the grasslands of Africa and then migrate to populate the planet.

Empire of Man(10:04)

The seventh threshold of human history is settlement in permanent cities, which allows people to combat overpopulation and lack of resources. The farming revolution involves growing plants, breeding animals, and preserving food. Ancient Asian tribes tame horses, allowing them to travel far distances.

Hidden Forces (10:12)

Civilizations built on farming thrive in warm climates; horse-based warrior cultures are prevalent in colder climates. In the Eastern Hemisphere, plate tectonics align land from East to West, making human migration easier. Advancements in technology and transportation allow for the sharing of ideas across long distances.

The Great Acceleration (07:20)

Ocean and land travel assists collective learning. Metals, coal, and water are integral in the invention of the revolutionary steam engine. The creation of machinery in the modern revolution allows humans to be more productive.

The Hidden Link (06:11)

The history of the universe is a system of things moving from order to disorder—the Law of Entropy. The eight thresholds in human history defy this law of chaos. Energy and matter converge in hubs allowing complex life to exist.

The Future Revealed (06:21)

Many researchers think the next threshold in human history will be people living on other planets. Other theories include technology taking over humans and the discovery of life on other planets. An asteroid could collide with Earth and wipe out humanity.

Description

This 2-hour special crisscrosses billions of years of time and space to show how everyone, and everything, is linked in one universal story. It weaves together science and history to reveal how an epic series of improbable events connect.